Aden entered his quarters behind Dorian, closing the door quietly behind them, his eyes on the mage.

"So…" he said quietly, "Heading into the Arbor Wilds tomorrow…"

Dorian turned to look at him as they walked up the stairs. "You're right," he said, throwing him a smile, "We should make passionate love to each other through the night. Could be our last chance."

Aden couldn't help letting a small smile appear on his lips. Dorian had never referred to sex as making love before. "Certainly seems appropriate," he said, "But… I wanted to…talk."

Dorian raised his eyebrows, "You sound so sombre," he said jokingly, "are you about to break up with me?"

Aden gave him a look and Dorian sighed, "Very well," he said, walking out onto Aden's balcony, the cool night air whipping his face. "Talk away then," he said, leaning his back against the bannister and looking at Aden.

Aden followed him, wrapping his arms around Dorian's waist and resting his hands on the rim behind Dorian's back. "Are you alright?" he asked seriously, looking at Dorian carefully.

Dorian quirked an eyebrow, "Am I alright?" he queried, "Are you alright?"

Aden frowned, "Dorian," he said slowly, "stop being so flippant. I know you're not alright."

"Quite right," agreed Dorian, "I am certainly not just 'alright', I would use the term…'extraordinary'."

Aden sighed, "We're heading to the Arbor Wild's tomorrow. When we get there we will likely come across Corypheus and his archdemon. It's going to be dangerous," he reeled seriously, "So… stop joking around for a second and talk to me."

Dorian sighed this time, "Where is this coming from?" he asked in a low voice.

Aden hesitated, then said, "Cole…may have said some things."

"Of course," Dorian said, rolling his eyes. He sighed, "What do you want me to say, exactly?"

Aden huffed, pulling his arms out, "How you feel maybe?"

Dorian frowned, "And what difference would that make?" he said a little angrily, "You know that I love you," he snapped, "saying it again won't stop you from dying."

"That's not what I meant…" sighed Aden, "And I'm not planning on dying!"

"How many more miraculous survivals do you have left, then?" Dorian snapped, then he growled in annoyance. "This is a pointless conversation," he snarled, "regardless, you have to do this. And I do too… as much as I would love to just…runaway into the sunset with you, that's not an option," he steamed, but Aden's heart warmed at the thought of them running off together… "That's not the type of people we are. So, we have to deal with the fact that at least one of us is very likely to die before this is all over."

Aden frowned, "What about the option where we both live?" he countered angrily, "Why not focus on that one? It's not so crazy. What would you want when this is all over?" he looked at him seriously, "For us?"

Dorian looked away, his face pained. "I can't think about that," he hissed. "I am being realistic, I… can't get my hopes up and plan for a future I may never get to have."

Aden sighed, watching Dorian and feeling his heart throb at the pained lines creasing across his brow. His anger began to ebb away. He leant back in, placing his arms around Dorian again. "You don't think I'm afraid of you dying too?" he whispered, "I can't bear to think about it. Which is why I don't think about it."

"That's because you're such a bloody optimist," Dorian hissed quietly, his tone still annoyed. "Just because you don't think about it, does not mean it can't happen."

Aden frowned, "I know that," he said slowly, trying not to get annoyed again. "I'm not an idiot, I just don't concentrate on all the bad things that could happen."

Dorian sighed, "I wasn't saying that," he said quietly, finally placing his arms around Aden's back in return. "It's a good thing that you're an optimist… I need that, I'm just not able to be like that myself."

"I didn't want to fight with you…" Aden said sadly, sighing. "I just wanted to talk… try and make you feel better."

Dorian looked at Aden. "This is a pretty ridiculous thing to call a fight, worrying about each other dying."

Aden gave a small smile, "Well you are being pretty ridiculous."

Dorian shook his head in annoyance. "Let's go inside, I'm freezing my buttocks off out here, and we both know how sad that would make you."
Aden rolled his eyes, but lead them inside. "You're the one that went out there in the first place."

"I thought it was more dramatic… sets the scene, you see."

"You are dramatic…" Aden said sitting down on their bed, taking his boots off and Dorian lay down beside him.

"Just promise me…" Dorian started saying quietly, staring up at the ceiling. "That you won't do anything…risky. Perhaps actually care about your own life for once?"

Aden turned to look at him in surprise, "I do care about my life."

Dorian caught his gaze. "Haven, you stayed behind. The fade, you stayed behind. All these little missions you do, taking all the punishment from the enemies and I hear them shouting 'take out that damn warrior' while I'm safely back in the distance. You have a hero complex."

Aden frowned. "I am a warrior, it's my job to 'take their punishment', which, by the way, I'm sure Bull could turn into something naughty."

Dorian raised his eyebrows at him. "Here I am being serious and now you're the one being flippant."

Aden sighed, "I was trying to save Stroud in the Fade and I had to stay behind at Haven. We all would have died otherwise."

"So… you risked your life to save everyone! That's what I am trying to say."

"Well someone has to do it!" Aden said, getting a little angry now.

"And you've done it now, many times!" Dorian said, his own voice rising madly and he sat up so he could look at Aden straight on. "So next time just let someone else do it! You've done more than your fair share of life saving."

"You want me to just stand back and let someone else die for me?"

"For everyone. And yes, I do. Why does it have to be you?"

"Because!" Aden spluttered, "I just can't do that, I can't let-"

Dorian sighed, cutting him off. "I… know that…" he said sadly, his voice going quiet. "I know you could never stand aside and let someone take a blow for you. I just wish you would… You know, I would be that someone who died to save you if I could."

Aden glared furiously at Dorian, "I would never let that happen," he hissed ferociously and Dorian looked quite taken aback.

He scowled, "Oh, so it is OK for you do die for me, but I'm not allowed to die for you?" he snarled, his voice angry again.

"Exactly," Aden snapped stubbornly.

Dorian looked furious, "What? You think you love me more so you're…'entitled' to die for me?! But I'm not?!" he demanded.

Aden shrugged angrily, "Yep, you've got it spot on."

Dorian glared at him. "Well you're wrong."

Aden raised his eyebrows. "Oh really?" he snapped, "You love me more do you? I think everyone would know that's not true," he growled. "And you wouldn't have a choice, I'm stronger than you, I'll make sure I'm the one that dies."

Dorian stared at him, shocked. "What do you mean everyone would know that's not true?" he demanded.

Aden shrugged his shoulders gruffly. "Everyone knows I adore you. And I'd do anything for you. It's pretty obvious."

"And it's not obvious that I adore you?!" Dorian hissed furiously. "And you'd do anything for me? You won't even promise not to die for me!"

Aden stared at Dorian for a moment, then, before he could stop it, an amused laugh tumbled from his lips. "This is ridiculous!" he cried, falling onto his back on the bed

Dorian bristled. "What are you laughing at?!"

"Us," sighed Aden, smiling bemusedly. He looked at Dorian's angry face and laughed again. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, "I promise I won't take any unnecessary risks."

Dorian stared at him for a moment, breathing heavily. "Now you're just trying to prove that you would do anything for me, thus proving you love me more," he stated touchily.

"I do love you more."

Dorian shook his head, "You don't," he said quietly, leaning over Aden. "But, was that a real promise?"

Aden smiled warmly, his heart throbbing, "Yes, Dorian, it was a real promise. But you have to promise not to take any risks too, no matter what."

Dorian sighed, laying his hand on Aden's chest. "I promise, amatus… My survival instincts are better than yours, even if my survival skills are not."

Aden laughed softly, "Only because you don't wear any bloody armour."

Dorian looked affronted, "And hide away my glorious figure?" he said, trying to lighten the mood again. "Anyway, I do wear armour, it's just different to yours."

"Yeah, yeah, because you can't dampen your magic blablabla," Aden said dismissively, "And what about my figure? You think that should be hidden?"

Dorian smiled, "Absolutely not, it is an insult that you should have to wear all that…bulky…nonsense. But at least it keeps my mind active."
Aden stared at him at him.

"When I slowly remove all of your clothes and armour in my head," Dorian explained. "Which I do every day."

Aden looked at Dorian for a moment, then suddenly, he wrapped his arms around his back and pulled him into his chest.

Dorian fell against him heavily, "Just… trying to prove how much stronger you are than me?" he asked in a muffled voice.

Aden smiled and held Dorian closer to him, "You like it…" he said quietly.

"I won't deny it," Dorian mumbled, "But, you're going to have to let me get more comfortable."

Aden let his arms loosen a little, half expecting Dorian to move out of his grasp, however instead he shuffled up his chest, lay his arm over Aden and rested his head below his shoulder.

Aden put his arms back around him softly, "Well, this is nice," he mused quietly.

Dorian smiled against his chest, "Mmm…" he agreed, "I do believe you've taken my… 'cuddling' virginity."

Aden laughed quietly, "Careful," he said, "keep saying things like that and people will start to realise what a softy you are."

Dorian scoffed lightly, "Never…"

"What did Vivienne call you the other day?" muttered Aden, smiling, "That's right, she said 'such snapping for a fish without teeth'," he chuckled, "we might be too late. Everyone will know soon."

Dorian sighed, "Ah well," he said airily, "I suppose the 'dread mage of Tevinter' lure was bound to wear off at some point."
Aden smiled warmly and moved a little to kiss Dorian's head gently.

"You are the softy," Dorian mumbled, feeling a light tingling sensation at the small kiss and smiling despite himself. He sighed again, "You are going to break my bloody heart, I'm sure of it."

Aden shook his head on the pillow. "You've got to stop saying things like that…"

Dorian gave a very small sigh, closing his eyes, beginning to feel his fatigue wash over him fully. "We'll see…" he mumbled sleepily.

Aden smiled softly, then turned to blow out the candle beside their bed before leaning his head against Dorian's. "Goodnight, Dorian," he whispered.

"Goodnight amatus…"

Blood was pounding in Aden's head, the almighty roar of Corypheus's dragon seemed to shake the very foundations of the walls around them. He pushed with all his might against the doors to Mythal's Sanctum, his companions with him and not a moment too soon they slammed to door shut forcefully just before a jet of red lyrium would have engulfed them. The impact was so strong it threw Morrigan and himself to the ground.

Then, silence.

Blue light sealed the doors closed and the roars of the dragon could no longer be heard. Aden stood up quickly, breathing heavily.

He turned to make sure everyone was alright and helped Morrigan to her feet.

"I take it… everyone saw what just happened, right?" he muttered, leaning his back against the great doors for support.

"But… he died," Cassandra muttered in shock, "How did he-?"

"Then he jumped to another body and rose again," Morrigan said a little snidely. "Thus, he is still alive, and still a threat. We need to keep moving."

Aden nodded, "Yes… to this 'Well of Sorrows''," he muttered, "Care to explain that one, Morrigan?"

Morrigan sighed, "I… do not know what that refers to…"

Aden frowned, "And I take it that it doesn't translate into Eluvian at all, does it?"

Morrigan looked annoyed. "No…" she said slowly, "It would seem an Eluvian is not what Corypheus seeks…"

Aden's frown grew.

Morrigan sighed angrily, "Yes, I was wrong! Does that please you?" she snapped, "Whatever the Well of Sorrows might be, Corypheus seeks it and thus we must keep it from his grasp."

"Well, she's got that right at least…" muttered Varric.

Aden narrowed his eyes slightly. "Indeed," he agreed, "Let's keep moving."

After moving on through the Sanctum and fighting off Samson's men they had discovered an alter that mentioned the Well of Sorrows. They also discovered that there was a ritual they could follow to gain entrance to the Temple. It was that or follow Samson through the great hole

"We don't have time to waste on rituals when our soldiers are dying outside," Cassandra was saying angrily.

"Just a thought," piped up Dorian, "But, maybe rushing through this place like a mad bull isn't the best plan?"

"We've already seen that there are spirits protecting this place…" Aden muttered quietly, "I think it would be wise to respect their sanctum."

Cassandra threw Dorian a dirty look, to which he responded, "You have a problem with me at the moment Cassandra?"

She huffed a little crossly, "It is nothing…" she muttered, looking away from him.

Aden frowned, but looked back to the tiled path before him that was part of the ritual. Then, he stepped onto the first tile, and stopped immediately as blue light emanated off it and a loud hum of a mysterious song lulled in the air. He turned to look at them, his face bemused, "Mysterious or ominous, do you think?" he mused.

Varric and Dorian chuckled while Cassandra tutted her disapproval.

They continued on, finally completing the ritual and entering the Temple. From there on they were led through the temple by one of the ancient elven spirits as Aden agreed to ally with them as Abalas, their leader went ahead to seemly destroy the Well of Sorrows and Morrigan had flown off, determined to get to the well herself first, as Aden had suspected.

Dorian was lagging behind slightly, his brow furrowed after the new revelations they had found. Teveinter had not destroyed the Elves… they had brought that upon themselves. There was so much that was untrue… so much his homeland did not know and should…

And Dorian knew… he could… perhaps make a difference, start changing things for the better back home. His frown deepened as he glanced ahead to where Aden walked. He was not certain he would be able to leave… his selfish desire to stay was too strong.

He shook his head, there was no use thinking these things until the current mess they were in was dealt with.

Aden stood before the Well, Morrigan beside him pleading passionately for him to let her drink. They had just defeated Samson, and he was to be taken back to Skyhold for judgement. And Abalas had left them peacefully, allowing them to drink the well if that was their will.

But he did not know that they should. He was not certain he could trust Morrigan…if Corypheus wanted this… it was powerful. He could drink it… that too was an option… but… did he want to?

He turned to the rest of the group. "Thoughts?" he almost begged, his troubled eyes catching Dorian's.

"I would trust only you with the power from the well," Cassandra said immediately, shooting Morrigan an untrusting glare.

Dorian made a sound of disgust at this, throwing Cassandra a dirty look. "Then you'd have him enslave himself to some Elven God?" he spat, then turned back to Aden, looking at him seriously. "I won't lose you to a well," he said in a hard voice. "Let her drink it if she wants it so much."

Aden held Dorian's gaze. He knew what he was thinking. Unnecessary risks… But, was this unnecessary? Could he trust Morrigan with this? Or should he take the burden?

He did not want to drink from the well. Dorian certainly did not want him to drink from the well.

But what should he do for the sake of the Inquisition? For the sake of Thedas?

He turned away, looking back to the ominous pool of water.

"I…" he stared, unsure. Then he sighed, he couldn't do it. This was one step too far. The entire thing was so… goulish. "The Well is yours…Morrigan…" he muttered, shaking his head to the ground.

"What?" Cassandra demanded quickly. "Inquisitor, you cannot, we cannot trust-"

"Leave him be!" snapped Dorian, overwhelming relief washing over him. "It is his choice."

"Oh is it?" Cassandra said narrowing her eyes, "Or is it yours?" she hissed, "One word from you and he just rolls over-"

"Seeker!" muttered Varric quickly, "I'm with Sparkler on this one. We don't know what that thing will do and she seems pretty eager to have it, so let's let her do it."

Aden looked at them all, his stomach churning with uncertainty. "Cassandra, I'm sorry…" he said quietly. "But I…can't," his eyes slid to Dorian briefly, then back to her. "I don't want it."

"That well clearly contains power," hissed Cassandra, "Corypheus wanted it and you would all just throw it to this witch? The fact that you don't want it is more proof that you are the one that could be most trusted with it!"

"Why should the Inquisitor have to take the risk himself?" demanded Dorian, "We don't know what could happen. If it doesn't kill him he'd be under the will of an ancient god! He mightn't be the same!"

"You are being selfish, Dorian," Cassandra countered angrily.

"Oh and what are you being?" Dorian hissed back.

"Both of you stop!" Aden said quickly, looking between them. "This is my decision, and I'm not drinking from that well. If that's what you think the Inquisitor should do, Cassandra, then… I obviously wasn't the right pick."

He turned back to look at Morrigan who was watching the display with her eyebrows raised, her arms crossed over her chest. Aden gave her a look as though to say, 'go on then'.

"Well if you have all finished arguing about how you don't trust me," she said airily, before turning to the well, that hungry look back in her eyes. She walked toward it, all eyes following her until she was in the centre, Aden watching with apprehension.

Then, she lowered her hands and bent her head to lift the water to her mouth. She drank in a large sip smoothly then,

She screamed. The water in the well turreted into the air and everyone flew back, falling to the ground.

Dorian sat at the desk in Aden's quarters, pouring over a letter from Maeveris he had received before they had left for the Arbor Wilds. She wanted him return to Tevinter… she wanted him to help her there. She was sure he could do great things.

He had not thought greatly on it… in fact he had rather dismissed the thought. But now… now that he knew so much more of the falsehoods from their history… He felt as though he had to go back. How could he talk about all the things wrong with his homeland and yet sit by and do nothing?

Aden was in a war meeting, discussing with his advisors and Morrigan what to do now about Corypheus. He had vanished for the moment. Dorian looked up when he heard Aden enter below, his footsteps reaching the stairs. Quickly, Dorian rolled the letter back up and placed it to the side amongst other papers.

Aden sighed wearily when he reached the top of stairs, his eyes meeting Dorians. He smiled, "So… we're alive," he said.

Dorian offered him a small smile in return, though it did not reach his eyes. "So is Corypheus."

Aden nodded wearily in agreement before collapsing onto their bed.

"Morrigan says there is a way to defeat him. And his archdemon. Which is apparently not an archdemon."

Dorian raised an eyebrow, moving to sit beside him on the bed. "The Well I take it?"

"It whispers to her, apparently," Aden said, rubbing his eyes. "She wants to me to come with her to some alter somewhere to meet with Mythal."

Dorian blinked, "I'm sorry, uh, no definitely misheard you. What did you say?"

Aden smiled, "Mythal. The ancient elven god. Her or her lingering presence, I'm not sure. But… Morrigan believes she still exists in some form and wants to speak with her. In person."

Dorian shook his head, "I…am immensely glad you did not drink from that well, amatus."

Aden looked at him. "Cassandra is still mad at me…" he said, "Well, not mad, but… you know, annoyed. And she is keeping an extra thorough watch on Morrigan. Blackwall thinks I should have drunk from the well also…" he muttered, "Bloody bastard, he's still just as judgy you know. I suppose that, in a way, is a good thing. And Vivienne thinks I should have drunk too… nearly everyone does, actually."

Dorian frowned. "Why should you have had to do that?" he asked sternly.

"Because I'm the Inquisitor I guess…" Aden sighed.

Dorian looked annoyed. "The way I see it, aside from my own, clearly selfish reasons, is that if you had drunk from that you would not be the Inquisitor that was chosen to lead this Inquisition," he said seriously, "It could have changed you, or even killed you. Regardless of the fact that I would bind you to Mythal's will forever. So the leader of the Inquisition would be serving her," he paused for a moment, Aden watching him talk. "You have a responsibility to the Inquisiton to remain true to who you are, you can't take a risk like that. The Inquisition needs you."

Aden was smiling now, "The… Inquisition needs me?" he queried lightly, "Is that all?"

Dorian gave him a look, "Yes, yes," he sighed, "Well clearly I need you too."

Aden's smiled widened, "Cassandra thinks you have too much influence over me."

"I was getting that impression," Dorian said dryly. "So, do I?"

Aden shrugged, "I don't think it is a bad thing."

"Would you have drunk from that well if I… wasn't in the picture?"

Aden frowned, he did not like thinking of a world where Dorian wasn't in the picture. "I… am not sure," he said quietly, "Honestly… I don't think I would have," he looked at him seriously, "I would have considered drinking it more than I did today. But…the whole thing sounded awfully goulish, didn't it? It wasn't just dying for the Inquisition… like you said, being bound to their will, not knowing what could happen if I drank." Aden almost shuddered at the thought. "No, and perhaps it is selfish… but, I…despite what you think, do care about my own life."

Dorian smiled, "I am very glad to hear that, amatus," he said softly. "And I do not think it is selfish of you to let Morrigan drink it. You're right… awfully goulish, the whole thing."

Aden sat up, smiling warmly and moved across the bed to Dorian. He placed a hand on his cheek and leant in to kiss him firmly. One of Dorian's hands came to rest on his hip, pulling him closer and he kissed him back, his eyes closing and he breathed out slowly, relaxing into the embrace.

Aden pulled back slightly, "I… meant to mention. The things you found out about Tevinter, how are you doing with all that? I imagine it is a lot to digest."

Dorian's eyes opened, hardening around the edges. "Yes… it has given me a lot to think about…" he said slowly. He did not want to bring this up right now. He just wanted to be happy that they were both here and alive and together.

"Are you ok?" asked Aden, noticing the hard lines to his eyes and looking at him in concern.

"I'm fine," he said quickly. "I just… well what would you do? If you were from Tevinter and found out those things."
Aden frowned. "Honestly, Dorian, I'm not sure. I don't know Tevinter at all like you do. I wouldn't know what is best."

Dorian bit his lip, looking down. "No…" he muttered, "Well," he glanced back up at Aden, trying to smile, "food for thought then."

Aden looked like he was about to say something else, but Dorian stopped him quickly with his lips. He pushed him back onto the bed suddenly, moving so that he was hovering over him, kissing him passionately. Aden's arms wound their way around his back, the surprise at the suddenness to the kiss wearing off quickly to be replaced with desire.

Dorian pushed all other thought from his head. He did not want to think about that right now. All he wanted to do right now was be with Aden. He could think more on his homeland in the morning… for now, he let out a small groan as Aden's hands began to wander, for now… this was all he wanted.

A/N Sorry for the delay! Honestly it was because I reaaaaally don't like writing long parts that are in the game itself... i.e. the Arbor Wilds in this chapter. But I felt I could not just skip over it... but I just get so bored writing it because we have all played it in the game! So hopefully that part is not too rushed. And... if it is I am sorry! But if I spent anymore time on it I may never have uploaded this!

Anyway. Thank you again SnowHelm for your wonderful support and reviews! And thank you everyone for all the new faves/follows.

Next chapter should be out sooner :)